Monday, October 13, 2014

Is the HKDSE worthwhile?

Sent to the South China Morning Post, October 13, 2014

I
refer to a letter by Sandy Li Pui-shan ("Exam system is stifling
creativity," October 13), pointing out that the emphasis on test
performance (specifically the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education,
or HKDSE) is discouraging creativity and limiting career choices. The
results of studies done in the USA using similar examinations given at
the end of secondary school might be of interest.

American
studies show that secondary school exit examination scores are not
related to more college attendance, increased student learning or higher
employment. In fact, researchers have yet to discover any benefits of
having a secondary school exit examination.

The
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) claims to measure the potential for
college success, but it is no more effective than secondary school
grades in predicting first year college grades. Even combining the two
provides, at best, only about 1/3 of the information needed to predict
first year college grades accurately. Grades alone provide about 25% of
the information needed.

In
Hong Kong's education system, emphasis is placed on getting into university and
this undermines some students' creativity.

This
has been made worse by the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
where it seems that all that matters is to get a degree.

Students
are told the marks they will have to get to win one of the places available on
undergraduate courses at a local university, and nothing else seems to be
important.

Education
should be about acquiring knowledge and nurturing the talents of young people.
If they show a desire to be creative, that should be encouraged.

However,
with so much pressure and such a competitive learning environment, the scope to
be creative is limited. They often are reduced to learning what is needed to
get high marks in the HKDSE exam.

The
set-up in our schools is therefore restrictive. Youngsters are being brought up
to think along straight lines and follow instructions.

They
have been frightened of speaking out and being told they are wrong. They are
discouraged from differing from the norm. They are encouraged to be doctors or
lawyers, rather than artists, dancers or musicians.

The
government should look into ways to reform our restrictive education system.